Athi River residents urge state to intervene, save property from demolition

Kenya Meat Commission factory in Athi River. KMC won a legal battle over land dispute against residents and property owners in Slota and Njuguini settlements. [File, Standard] Residents and property owners in Slota and Njuguini settlements in Athi River, Machakos County are holding their breath as the clock ticks to May 21, 2025, when the eviction notice expires. About two weeks ago, Kenya Meat Commission (KMC) issued a 14-day vacate notice to thousands of residents living in the area following the conclusion of a legal battle in which the KMC was declared the lawful owner of the property. According to the judgment, delivered on July 10, 2024, by the Environment and Land Court sitting in Machakos, all unlawful occupants were to vacate the property within 90 days, which expired on October 10, 2024. However, the affected residents are now pleading with the Government to intervene and suspend the scheduled eviction, pending ongoing negotiations and appeals lodged by the residents association in conjunction with the property owners and the state. Unlike the previous incidents of evictions and demolition of homes in Mavoko and other adjacent parcels, the Slota/Njuguini scenario appears different. Just like evidenced by what appears to be a well-organised urban-planned residential area complete with public infrastructure and social amenities including 30 schools and 17 churches health facilities, the affected residents have urged the government to halt the planned eviction. When The Standard toured the area on Sunday, majority of the residents were anxious, with reports indicating that hundreds had already vacated their rented homes in anticipation of the eviction. "I cannot wait and see my property being destroyed by a bull-dozer. It is better I pick my few belongings and look for another house elsewhere," said Desmond Omondi, one of the affected tenants. The planned eviction has also thrown parents of school-going children in the area into confusion and desperation. "The eviction notice effectively puts our children in a precarious situation because there are dozens of schools operating in the area. It is going to be a total nightmare for both learners and parents. That is why our last hope is the Government," said Alice Lang'at, a parent. Property owners in the area will be the biggest casualties should the eviction and demolition be carried out. "We are innocent investors who developed our property after transacting with the defunct Mavoko Municipal Council. We never grabbed any land and we have allotment documents processed by the local government," said Kyalo Mutiso, one of the property owners in Njuguini. Mutiso said the eviction will have far-reaching socio-economic implications in Mavoko municipality, considering the magnitude of affected population and establishments. "This could easily be the single largest displacement of residents in any urban settlement in Kenya in recent history. It will no doubt affect the local economy in an unprecedented manner," he said. The property owners say many of them have been paying tax to Kenya Revenue Authority (KRA) and their property captured by the County Government of Machakos in the County Property Valuation Roll. "We have been caught off-guard by this notice. We are just victims of circumstances. We have been a law-compliant community and the Government should do anything within its power to save us from this impending life-shattering loss," said Boniface Mwanzia, another property owner. His sentiments were echoed by Kyalo Mutiso, another investor in the area, who said the residents' fate lies in the goodwill of political leaders. "Our last hope is our elected leaders. We are calling upon our governor Wavinya Ndeti and local MP, Patrick Makau to engage President William Ruto in order to help us get out of this mess," he said. Brigit Nthenya, a local trader said she has been living in the area since 2005 and built her grocery business over the years. "Many people have taken loans and invested here. When they tell us to vacate, where shall we take our children? This is the time we need the help of our leaders and the Government that we elected," she said. The latest threat on Njuguini/Slota settlement evictions brings into the limelight the vicious cycle of land issues in Athi River. In 2023, hundreds of residents were evicted and their property demolished from land belonging to the East African Portland Cement. A taskforce report released in 2011 on the squatter problem in Athi River recommended evicting individuals who illegally acquired land in the area, including those who were duped into purchasing land from unscrupulous businessmen. The report also called for investigations into land speculators who were selling grabbed public land. The task force, which included members from various ministries, found that "gullible" Kenyans purchased land belonging to entities like the National Housing Corporation, National Social Security Fund, and Kenya Meat Commission. They also discovered that land belonging to other institutions like the Meat Training Institute and private individuals had been illegally acquired. The report's recommendations were presented to then-Internal Security minister George Saitoti, who directed the police to investigate the fraudsters involved in the illegal transactions. The goal of the task force was to restore the land to its legitimate owners and address the land grabbing issues in Athi River.

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